title: Cumulus cells and their extracellular matrix affect the quality of the spermatozoa penetrating the cumulus mass.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the role of the cumulus cells and the cumulus matrix in affecting the penetrability, morphology, acrosome reaction, and motility of human spermatozoa penetrating the cumulus oophorus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Controlled experimental laboratory study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University gynecology unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women undergoing assisted reproduction treatment and men visiting the subfertility clinics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human spermatozoa were allowed to penetrate through the cumulus oophorus and cell-depleted cumulus matrix in a capillary, and were treated with cumulus cell extract or hyaluronic acid.
  
  
  METHODS
  The morphology, acrosomal status, and motility of human spermatozoa were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fewer spermatozoa could penetrate the fresh cell-depleted matrix compared with intact cumulus oophorus. Spermatozoa that penetrated through the cumulus oophorus had higher percentages of normal morphology and acrosome reaction and had specific motility pattern. These effects were lost or reduced in the cell-depleted matrix that had been stored overnight. Hyaluronic acid, a main component of the cumulus matrix at concentration found in the cumulus oophorus, modulated sperm motility but did not affect spontaneous acrosome reaction. Cumulus cell extract did not affect sperm motility, but induced acrosome reaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both the cumulus matrix and the cumulus cells contribute to the effect of cumulus oophorus on spermatozoa penetrating through it.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Shun-Jia
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Philip Chi-Ngong
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Kai-Fai
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Innovation and Technology Commission, Wanchai, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Jenny Yin-Mei
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Tse
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Pak-Chung
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China. Electronic address: wsbyeung@hkucc.hku.hk.
authors.forename: William Shu-Biu
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Yeung
mesh_terms: D000177:Acrosome / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D020101:Acrosome Reaction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002457:Cell Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D054885:Cumulus Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D013075:Sperm Capacitation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D002457:Cell Extracts; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid